JUDA — If there was a night for the Pecatonica Vikings to get back on track on the volleyball court, it was in their Oct. 1 match at Juda.

The Vikings had played a rollercoaster series of matches in the week prior, from winning a five-set thriller over Argyle, to being swept by Black Hawk and losing a five-set heartbreaker days later at Albany. 

“I think it set us back on track and gave us the confidence we needed,” Pecatonica senior Sydney Eaton said after her team’s 25-11, 25-12, 25-20 sweep of Juda. “To win in three, it showed us that we can do it if we put our mind to it. I was just impressed with the team effort. I was really proud tonight.”

In Game 1, the Vikings went on an 8-1 run early to take a commanding lead, then tore off a 12-1 run to make it 24-7.

“We have a lot of natural athletes and it was really good to see them play our game and play strong,” said Liz McGowan, Pecatonica’s coach. “I think part of it is we have talked about needing to put a whole game together. We’ve got a lot of really good things going for us, and it’s now or never, so we have to show that — we can’t just talk about it, we have to prove it.”

In the second set, the Vikings carried the momentum and used another early 12-0 run to fuel the victory.

“We just talk about communicating and working hard. There were some mistakes that were communication errors,” Juda coach Maren Huntsman said.

Juda stepped up its game in the third set as the Vikings mixed up the lineup and became lax at times. Trailing 6-4 early, the Panthers sprung off a 4-point run bookmarked by Jocelyn Rufer kills. 

A 9-2 run put Pecatonica up by five points, but Juda didn’t quit this time around. Trailing 18-13, the Panthers got surprise kill from Jackie Nusbaum, then watched as Pecatonica failed to return volleys in bounds on three of the next four points. 

“We were there. A lot of it is communicating,” Huntsman said. “We had some good passes and sets, and we weren’t quite able to put it away sometimes. I still think we hustled. We’re working through some rotations and missing a girl, still. I think they are doing their best.”

Pecatonica was able to close off the set — and match — on a 7-3 run, which meant the bus ride home could be enjoyed with a little less stress.

Tessa Green led Pecatonica with eight kills, while Lily Busser finished with six digs. Lexi McSherry and Siri Thronson each had two blocks, and Sydney Eaton collected four aces and 13 assists.

McGowan was pleased to get her reserves some meaningful game action. She said the program is blessed to have 25 girls playing between varsity and the JV squad. 

“You can only put six girls on the court at a time and I was really glad for some of those girls that they were able to get in there,” McGowan said. Both lineups push each other in practice, and when the reserves are able to get into the game, the starters get excited on the sidelines.

Rufer led Just with four kills and two blocks. Maddie Smith dished out seven assists and scored two aces. Morgan Schneeberger finished with 50 digs from the libero position.

“The girls are very good at keeping each other up and encouraging each other, which I am grateful for. When we can, we try to change up that serve receive. I tell them to want it. You should want the ball to come to you,” Huntsman said.

With just two weeks left in the regular season, the time to hesitate is through. 

“I’m just trying to be grateful that we get a season. I know that it’s different, but our family members are here, our coaches are here, our teammates are here — we get to play together,” Eaton said. “We really value each game because we don’t know when it’s going to be our last or not. I think it’s important to keep that mentality through the rest of the season and into the playoffs — if we have the playoffs.”

Eaton said much of the starting lineup has been playing together for two years or more, and that helps build confidence on the court, which will be key in the final days of the season.

“It helps because we know each other — we know who is going to get the tips; who is going to be where. We have confidence and we have each other’s backs.”